Video 1:23
US admits it needs 'intelligence constraints'

The White House has acknowledged the need for additional 'constraints' on US intelligence gathering, amid claims of eavesdropping on allies.

Transcript

EMMA ALBERICI, PRESENTER: As we've heard, the Obama Administration is acknowledging the need to put stronger constraints on the US international spy program. Reports tonight in the 'New York Times' say the US [resident is considering banning eavesdropping on the leaders of American allies. President Obama said he's reviewing his administration's policy and has defended his level of complicity in the program.

JOURNALIST: How is it you didn't know about the cell phones being looked at or listened to and why didn't you know and who should have told you?

BARACK OBAMA, US PRESIDENT: First of all I'm not confirming a bunch of assumptions that have been made in the press. But what I have said is that the national security operations generally have one purpose and that is to make sure that the American people are safe and that I'm making good decisions and I'm the final user of all the intelligence that they gather. But they're involved in a whole wide range of issues and we give them policy direction but what we've seen over the last several years is their capacities continue to develop and expand and that's why I'm initiating now a review to make sure that what they're able to do doesn't necessarily mean what they should be doing.